BMA IGNORES WORLD CLASS REGULATIONS
08/09/2009

The Portman Group has criticised the BMA's report 'under the influence' on alcohol marketing which was published today. 

The Portman Group has defended the strict controls on drinks producer marketing following criticism from the BMA:

 
http://www.bma.org.uk/health_promotion_ethics/alcohol/undertheinfluence.jsp?page=1
 
Commenting David Poley, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, the social responsibility body for drinks manufacturers, said:

 
"The effectiveness of our regulatory work has been recognised by several independent and authoritative bodies.  Despite this, doctors dismiss out of hand the strict controls.  They criticise the system while failing in their duty to alert the Independent Complaints Panel to their marketing concerns. 
 
 "The BMA is ignoring all the evidence that advertising causes brand switching, not harmful drinking.   A ban would not improve our drinking culture and could even be counter-productive.  The University of Sheffield found it would create fiercer price competition which could actually increase overall consumption.  Lasting social change can be achieved only through sustained education accompanied by proper enforcement of the alcohol laws."
 
For more information call the Portman Group on 020 7907 3700 



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